IVF During a Pandemic

Well I didn't keep up the blog... I did however document the journey a little lot more on my Instagram.. and took even more photos on my phone that might one day come to light haha

It's been a super stressful time doing IVF in the middle of a world wide pandemic... IVF at the best of times is full of so many uncertainties and add in the extra uncertainty from COVID and ir's bordering on ridiculous.

All through the cycle I was terrified that I'd be pumped full of hormones and then would have the cycle cancelled.. thing got stranger along the way... public transport felt very "un-safe" and so I started driving in for everything.. and walking halfway across town between the clinic and acupuncture. We paid a fair bit for parking over the months... In March the government decided that to free up resources - equipment and people that they were going to shut down elective surgery... which apparently includes IVF... this made me more scared as no one quite knew exactly when.. then it was the 1 April .. and we JUST managed to squeeze in with Egg Collection on 26th March and Transfer on 31 March! Phew

I made a little video with a selection of photos and videos taken during the IVF cycle ...

I am still in shock that after all this time and so many prayers and tears, that IVF finally was successful and we are FINALLY pregnant... only once have I seen those two lines before and since I was already bleeding it was bittersweet. This is different! This time there is HOPE that this little one will be a survivor and make it all the way to a healthy baby .... Praying God would protect and grow this little one!!

Agonist Cycle

Good morning, I thought I would write down a bit of information here about what an Agonist cycle is and some more details about my particular journey with it so far and predicted. An Agonist cycle is also called a long down regulation cycle I believe. I've added a bit of a rough diagram/ schedule of what these next days, weeks should involve.

It starts with supressing regular female hormones. This is done via the Synarel spray that I am taking, (I've also heard it referred to putting you in a pseudo menopause state).

In my case, I had my blood test on Day 22 of my cycle and started the spray day 23. It's usually 7-10 days after that when AF arrives and a 2nd blood test. Currently I'm at day 8 so getting there I suppose. Just waiting!

So currently just waiting some more (and going slightly crazy on this spray haha) ... the next blood test will show if my hormones are low enough (have been down regulated) and then I will be advised when to start the Menopur which is a follicle stimulating hormone - which will facilitate the growth of lots of folllicles and hopefully result in some good eggs!

A few days after the start of injections I will have more blood test and scans to see how the follicles are progressing and will continue to be monitored with tests until they decide it's time to collect. And I'll continue with the medications

36 hours before the Egg collection I will take an HcG trigger shot (actually I believe I'm going to be having a double shot) which will further develop the eggs and bing on ovulation.. but before that happens they will swoop in and collect them.

After the egg collection I will use Crinone (pessaries) and God willing have a little embryo {or two}
transferred 5 days after the collection. In this case I will need to stay on the Crinone until the Beta test which I'm praying will result in a BFP (BIG FAT POSITIVE)

Stepping out again in faith

We are about to embark on a new Season ... we’ve decided to go with a new bulk-billing clinic (who hoo) for a new round of IVF .. so starting an Agonist cycle later this month - with a blood test on the 27th 😯 simultaneously exciting and terrifying!! 

And the pre-testing bloodwork has reminded me of the ordeal of regular blood tests .. it is not fun. And when you tell the collector that you have deep veins and they still go in on a shallow  angle it doesn’t work 😒🥵😯😔 but all this will worthwhile or will one day be a distant memory again.

I started a new insta account so that I can easily document this journey and not bombard my current account with ivf posts ☺️

Hoping and praying that this might be the time for a miracle from our loving, faithful God!